Orioles Hold Baseball Clinic For 300 Kids

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 16: Adam Jones #10 congratulates Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles after hitting a two run home run in the third inning during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on June 16, 2013 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Summer baseball clinics are in full swing and one of them has the pros at the helm. Orioles outfielder Adam Jones kicked off his baseball training session and invited some of his fellow players to pitch in.

Gigi Barnett has more.

The journey to the major leagues could begin with a simple weekend clinic. It helps when Orioles’ outfielder Adam Jones is standing at first base, ready to teach the fundamentals of the game.

“Let’s get better today,” Jones said. “Let’s get better at baseball.”

That’s Jones’ message to the boys and girls at Radecke Park in northeast Baltimore this weekend. He started the baseball clinic back in 2008 and this year, invited shortstop JJ Hardy and third baseman Manny Machado.

“I just want to give back to the community,” Machado said.

While kids learn, parents are just as excited abut the free camp.

“I think I’m more excited about it than they are,” said one parent.

Orioles coaches lend their expertise, too.

The young players had many questions.

“How do you hit the inside corner pitch? I always had trouble with it,” said Malik Brown.

And the pros had an answer.

“They told me you gotta throw the nub of the bat to the ball,” said Brown.

It’s why Jones says he doesn’t mind being a coach at this camp.

“We’re out here supporting and trying to be good role models for these kids,” he said.